Anti-alteration wellhead vault

ABSTRACT

A wellhead vault for preventing alteration of the wellhead of a water supply. The vault is a heavy bell-shaped structure, formed of concrete, and having a downwardly facing concavity, and the vault placed over, with the concavity around the wellhead. The vaults too heavy to be removed by human lifting. Lifting elements are provided to allow the vault to be installed and removed by heavy construction equipment. The vault has a vent that communicates between the concavity and the outside, allowing air, but not liquid, liquid or solid contaminants, or animals, to pass through.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

NA.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding ofany federally sponsored research or development program.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention involves a system for protecting wellheads that are partof water supplies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

40 years ago, there seemed to be no terrorist threat, but in today'sworld it seems we have people and groups of people that will stop atnothing to hurt, maim and kill others, even children. This inventioninvolves a wellhead that is protected by an anti-alteration well vault.The vault enhances the security of our precious water supply andprotects the safety of water supply consumers. This protected wellheadwill go a long way toward protecting municipal and private well watersupplies and could be used also to protect oil or gas wells, whetheractive or abandoned, from alteration, including not only tampering,vandalism, and terrorism, but also intentional and unintentional damageand intrusion by both human and non-human perpetrators.

It is common and usually necessary, in the provision of well water to asmall community water system, to have a portion of the water deliverysystem, including upper end of the well and associated connections,above ground. This portion is known as a wellhead. The wellhead providesan air source in order for the pump to function properly and the finalconnection from the water supply to a private dwelling is attached atthe wellhead. The wellhead is frequently located in unobtrusive,sparsely populated areas and therefore extremely vulnerable to maliciousvandalism and terrorism, and various kinds of accidents.

Although various locking mechanisms and security chain systems have beenused to protect wellheads from malicious tampering, easily availableportable power tools can defeat most of these protections easily,quickly, and inconspicuously. This invention effectively decreases thepossibility of a terrorist or local malicious vandal covertly tamperingwith the water supply through the wellhead.

These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices havebeen obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of some embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a system for protecting the wellhead of awater supply from undesired alteration, both intentional and accidental,and including vandalism and terrorism.

It is another outstanding object of some embodiments of the presentinvention to provide a system for protecting the wellhead of a watersupply from undesired alteration, that is cost-effective.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of partsset forth in the specification and covered by the claims appendedhereto, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment ofthe invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what isclaimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wellhead vault for preventing alteration of the wellhead of a watersupply. The vault is a heavy bell-shaped structure, formed of concrete,and placed over and around the wellhead. The vaults too heavy to beremoved by human lifting. Lifting elements are provided to allow thevault to be installed and removed by heavy construction equipment. Theinvention may be perceived as the vault itself, the vault and wellheadcombination, and the method of using the vault on the wellhead.

This invention is a wellhead enclosure formed of a relativelyimmoveable, indestructible well vault which prevents malicious oraccidental access to the attached supply system.

One embodiment of the invention includes a wellhead enclosure formed ofa heavy bell shaped pre-formed concrete vault that has been lifted inplace using heavy lifting equipment. The vault is constructed from amaterial that would require a noisy and conspicuous effort to penetrate.Furthermore, the well vault is of such a weight that it can only bemoved using heavy-duty construction equipment, use of which would alsonecessarily be noisy and conspicuous.

One benefit of this invention is that, along with anti-tamperingprotection, it also protects the vulnerable exposed wellhead fromaccidental damage from a vehicle or a piece of heavy equipment collidingwith the wellhead itself. The mass of the well vault will repel thevehicle.

Also, the top portion the well vault could be made dome-shaped in orderto improve the run-off of rain and snow causing far less weather relateddegradation of the enclosure. Or it could be made flat to form a shelffor placing objects. Or it could be concave to form a bird bath. Theexterior of the well vault could be decorated before or after casting tomake it look attractive when that is appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The character of the invention, however, may best be understood byreference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a wellhead vault ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wellhead vault shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional front elevation view of the wellhead vault shownin FIG. 1, as seen along the view line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the wellhead vault shown in FIG. 1,as seen along view line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention, having a square foot print.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional front elevation view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, as seen along the view line VII-VII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a third embodiment of the present invention in which a ledgeis provided around the outside of the well vault.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a check valve that prevents flood water fromentering the wellhead vault. FIG. 11 shows the flotation ball in itslower position in which air is allowed to pass in and out of the vent.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a check valve that prevents water fromentering the wellhead vault. FIG. 12 shows the flotation ball in itsupper position in which water is not allowed to pass through the vent,and into the wellhead chamber.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a double check valve that prevents flood waterfrom entering the wellhead vault. FIG. 13 shows both flotation balls intheir lower positions in which air is allowed to pass in and out of thevent.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a double check valve that prevents flood waterfrom entering the wellhead vault. FIG. 14 shows the lower flotation ballin its upper position in which water cannot pas through the vent, andthe upper flotation ball in its lower position in which air would beallowed to pass in and out of the vent, were it not for the lower checkvalue.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a double check valve that prevents flood waterfrom entering the wellhead vault. FIG. 15 shows both of the flotationballs in their upper positions in which neither air nor water allowed topass through the vent, into the chamber.

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view, in section as seen along line 16-16of FIG. 17, of the lower end of an alternative check valve.

FIG. 17 is a plan view, in section as seen along line 17-17 of FIG. 16,of the lower end of the alternative check valve shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a front elevation view, in section as seen along line 18-18of FIG. 19, of a sealable lower, outside end of a vent, without thesealing plug in place.

FIG. 19 is a right elevation view of the sealable lower, outside end ofthe vent shown in FIG. 18, without the sealing plug in place.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view, in section as seen along line 20-20of FIG. 21, of a sealable lower, outside end of the the vent shown inFIG. 18, with the sealing plug in place.

FIG. 21 is a right elevation view of the sealable lower, outside end ofthe vent shown in FIG. 20, with the sealing plug in place.

FIG. 22 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 22-22of FIG. 23, of the outside end of the venting system.

FIG. 23 shows a right elevation view of the vent shown in FIG. 22, andshows the perforated disk in the bore of the vent.

FIG. 24 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 24-24of FIG. 25, of the outside end of the venting system.

FIG. 25 shows a right elevation view of the vent and plug and shown inFIG. 24.

FIG. 26 shows a front elevation cross-sectional view, taken a along line26-26 of FIG. 27, of another version of the lower end of the checkvalve.

FIG. 27 shows a plan view in partial section, taken along line 27-27 ofFIG. 26, of the check valve seat shown in FIG. 26, showing the groovesthrough the barrel of the check valve seat.

FIG. 28 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 28-28of FIG. 29, of the outside end of the venting system.

FIG. 29 shows a right elevation view of the vent and shown in FIG. 28,and shows the perforated disk in the bore of the vent.

FIG. 30 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 30-30of FIG. 31, of the outside end of the venting system.

FIG. 31 shows a right elevation view of the vent and plug and shown inFIG. 30.

FIG. 32 shows a front elevation cross-sectional view, taken a along line32-32 of FIG. 33, of another version of the lower end of the checkvalve.

FIG. 33 shows a plan view in partial section, taken along line 33-33 ofFIG. 32, of the check valve seat shown in FIG. 32, showing the groovesthrough the barrel of the check valve seat.

FIG. 34 is front elevation view in partial section, taken along line34-34 of FIG. 35, of the upper part of a version of a check valve.

FIG. 35 is a plan view, in section taken line 35-35 of FIG. 34, of theversion of the upper part of the check valve shown in FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a front elevation view, in section taken along line III-IIIof FIG. 18, showing another version of the vent, with a sealing flap inan unsealed position, and an outlet seal in place to seal the outletwhen flooding is expected.

FIG. 37 is a front elevation view, in section taken along line III-IIIof FIG. 18, showing the vent in FIG. 36, with the sealing flap in asealed position, and the outlet seal not in place to seal the outlet,when flooding is not expected.

FIG. 38 is a front elevation view, in section taken along line III-IIIof FIG. 18, showing another version of the vent shown in FIG. 36, with asealing flap in an unsealed position, and an outlet seal in place toseal the outlet when flooding is expected.

FIG. 39 is a front elevation view of a test well embodiment of thepresent invention, having an optional square foot print.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the test well embodiment shown in FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a sectional front elevation view of the test well embodimentshown in FIG. 39, as seen along the view line VII-VII of FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 39.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the anti-alteration wellhead vault of the presentinvention is an inverted bell-shaped concrete structure that enclosesthe upper, exposed, end of a well, and the vault's heavy concreteconstruction is designed to prevent the enclosure from being moved byindividuals without the assistance of heavy equipment. Although concreteis the preferred material from which this vault is manufactured, anyrelatively dense material such as metal, or composite polymericmaterials, such as sand or gravel mixtures in a polymer matrix, couldalso be used. One embodiment of the well cover is constructed using castconcrete including cast-in re-bar (reinforcement bar) lifting loops, andweighs approximately 1200 pounds. Its primary purpose is to protect thedrinking water well from tampering as well as keeping rodents and othercreatures from accessing the metal well cap which is usually vented. Thewell cover is constructed to be too heavy for a few individuals toremove easily. Moving and positioning of the well vault must be donewith heavy equipment such as a backhoe or excavator, thereby makingsurreptitious removal difficult. Currently, a typical 6″ diameterartesian drilled well is covered by a metal cap weighing approximately10 pounds which is secured with 6 to 10 bolts. A terrorist or vandal caneasily and surreptitiously remove this type of protective cap in orderto facilitate contamination of the water supply and easily replace thewell cap with very little difficulty. When the attached supply pump isactuated, it will pump contaminated water into the institution or homethat has been targeted.

Although the above embodiment is designed to protect a 6″ inch diameterwell, it is envision that similar well cover can be made of dimensionsappropriate to well sizes typically servicing schools, businesses,municipalities and individual home owners who are concerned aboutpotential contamination, tampering or vandalism of their source ofdrinking water.

In another embodiment of the well vault cover, includes a screen meshlaid over the well opening extending beyond the circumference of thewell opening such that when the well cover is positioned over the wellopening, such that the screen mesh is secured in place and a seal iscreated between the screen mesh and the well cover thereby preventingrodents from burrowing under the well cover and gaining access to thewellhead.

In another embodiment of the well vault cover, includes placing aliquid-tight seal on the bottom surface of the well vault so that thewell vault resists penetration by flood water. A special liquid-blockingvent system can be employed to prevent flood water from entering thevault through the vents.

In another embodiment the well cover includes one or more air vent pipesthat penetrate the well cover wall and are oriented such that theentrance to the air vent pipe located at the surface of the well coveris lower relative to the exit of the air vent pipe into the innercavity. This orientation prevents liquid contaminants from being poureddirectly into the well cover inner cavity. The air vents guaranteesufficient airflow into the inner cavity which is required for theproper functioning of the well pump since access to air is necessary toreplace the water space cavity whenever the well pump is activated.

The envisioned air vents also may include a stainless steel screen oralternatively a stainless steel porous scrubber located in the air ventpipe having securing bolts running through the screen (or scrubber) andfastened to the air vent pipe wall which act to hold the screen (orscrubber) in place. This screen prevents rodents from infiltrating theinner cavity as well as preventing larger particulate contamination fromentering the cavity whether from natural sources or from malicioustampering.

The envisioned air vents may also include a vented cap securing theoutside entrance of the air vent. This provides a barrier to rodentinfiltration and malicious tampering of the well through the air ventsthemselves.

The envisioned air vents may also include one or more jogs in the airvent pipe which increases the difficulty of a malicious individualaccessing the wellhead chamber with the intent to tamper with it in somemanner.

The dimensions depend on enveloping the wellhead, and achievingsufficient weight to make the vault difficult to move without heavyequipment. In one specific embodiment the vault is a conical bell shapedwith rounded top, height 3′, 34″ base outer diameter, tapering up to 27″outer diameter, with rounded top above that. Wall thickness is about 7″at the base, tapering up to 3½′, thereby forming inner chamber centeredin vault with height 18″ and diameter of 18″. The dimensions of theinner chamber is 18″ width-diameter. The height of the chamber is 18″.The construction material is re-formed concrete. The steel rod optionsare reinforcement bar (re-bar), or other kinds of steel bars available.The depth of steel rod in vault wall is sufficient to support the weightof the vault.

Referring to the included drawings, FIG. 1 is a front elevation view ofan embodiment of a wellhead vault of the present invention. Theanti-alteration wellhead vault system, designated generally by the 10,includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 11. The vault 11 has liftingelements 12 mounted on the top of the vault 11. The lifting element 12is in the form of loops of metal bars the ends of which are embedded inthe concrete of the vault 11. The lifting elements 12 allow the vault 11to be placed and lifted using heavy construction equipment. The vault 11also includes air vents 13 and 14.

The vault is sitting on a layer of sealing material 15, that ispositioned between the bottom 16 of the vault 11 and a flat concrete pad17. The pad 17 is buried in the ground 18.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the wellhead vault shown in FIG. 1. The vaultsystem 10 includes the vault 11. The vault 11 includes the liftingelement 12, and the air vents 13 and 14. The vault 11 is sitting on theconcrete pad 17 which is positioned in the ground 18.

FIG. 3 is a sectional front elevation view of the wellhead vault shownin FIG. 1, as seen along the view line III-III of FIG. 2. Theanti-alteration wellhead vault system, designated generally by the 10,includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 11. The vault 11 has liftingelements 12 mounted on the top of the vault 11. The lifting element 12is in the form of loops of metal bars the ends of which are embedded inthe concrete of the vault 11. Preferably, the ends of the metal barswill be bent around to form hooks that will prevent the bars from beingpulled out of the concrete. The lifting elements 12 allow the vault 11to be placed and lifted using heavy construction equipment. The vault 11also includes air vents 13 and 14.

The bottom 16 of the vault 11 is sitting on a layer of sealing material15, that is positioned between the bottom 16 of the vault 11 and a flatconcrete pad 17. The pad 17 is buried in the ground 18.

The wellhead 21 emerges from the ground 18 through the flat concrete pad17, and stands substantially above the top of the concrete pad 17.

The vault 11 is shaped to form a hollow downwardly-opening wellheadchamber 25. The vault 11 is positioned so that the wellhead 21 is withinthe wellhead chamber, where it is protected from alteration by the vault11.

The vault 11 includes air vent pipes 13 and 14 that penetrate the vault11 wall, from the outer surface of the vault 11 to the wellhead chamber25. The vents 13 and 14 are oriented such that the entrance to the airvent pipe located at the outer surface of the vault 11 is lower relativeto the exit of the air vent pipe into the wellhead chamber 25. Thisorientation prevents liquid contaminants from being poured directly intothe well cover inner cavity. The air vents guarantee sufficient airflowinto the wellhead chamber 25 which is required for the properfunctioning of the well pump since access to air is necessary to replacethe water space cavity whenever the well pump is activated.

Each of the vents 13 and 14 also may include an air-porous solids trap28 and 29, such as a stainless steel screen or alternatively a stainlesssteel porous scrubber located in the air vent pipe having securing bolts30 running through the screen (or scrubber) and fastened to the air ventpipe wall which act to hold the screen (or scrubber) in place. Thisscreen prevents rodents from infiltrating the inner cavity as well aspreventing larger particulate contamination from entering the cavitywhether from natural sources or from malicious tampering.

The air vents 13 and 14 may also include one or more jogs 31 and 32 inthe air vent pipe, so that there is no straight-through path through thevent, which increases the difficulty of a malicious individual accessingthe wellhead chamber with the intent to tamper with it in some manner.

FIG. 4 is a sectional plan view of the wellhead vault shown in FIG. 1,as seen along view line IV-IV of FIG. 1. The outer ring is the ground18, and, moving inward, are the concrete pad 17, the outer wall 19 ofthe vault 11, the sectioned inner body 20 of the vault 11, the wellheadchamber 25, and the top of the wellhead 21 itself.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention, having a square foot print. This anti-alteration wellheadvault system, designated generally by the 10 a, includes precastconcrete bell-shaped vault 11 a. The vault 11 a has lifting elements 12a mounted on the side of the vault 11 a. The lifting element 12 a is inthe form of a loop of a metal bar the ends of which are embedded in theconcrete of the vault 11 a. The lifting element 12 a allows the vault 11a to be placed and lifted using heavy construction equipment. The vault11 a also includes air vents 13 a and 14 a (shown below).

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The vaultsystem 10 a includes the vault 11 a. The vault 11 a includes the liftingelement 12 a, and the air vents 13 a and 14 a. The vault 11 a might besitting on a concrete pad which is positioned in the ground, around awellhead.

FIG. 7 is a sectional front elevation view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, as seen along the view line VII-VII of FIG. 6. Theanti-alteration wellhead vault system, designated generally by the 10 a,includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 11 a. The vault 11 a haslifting elements 12 a mounted on the side of the vault 11 a. The liftingelement 12 a is in the form of a loop of metal bar, the ends of whichare embedded in the concrete of the vault 11 a. Preferably, the ends ofthe metal bar will be bent around to form hooks that will prevent thebars from being pulled out of the concrete. The lifting element 12 aallows the vault 11 a to be placed and lifted using heavy constructionequipment. The vault 11 a also includes air vents 13 a and 14 a.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5. The bottomview of the wellhead vault system 10 a, shows the bottom 16 a of thevault 11 a, the wellhead chamber 25 a, and the vents 13 a and 14 a.

FIG. 9 is a third embodiment of the well vault 11 b present invention inwhich a step-like ledge 41 is provided around the outside of the wellvault 11 b. This ledge provides convenient support for a person tomaintain the upper portion of the vault 11 b, or to assist in connectingthe lifting elements 12 b to the heavy lifting equipment for positioningthe vault 11 b. This anti-alteration wellhead vault system, designatedgenerally by the 10 b, includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 11 b.The vault 11 b has lifting elements 12 b mounted on the top of the vault11 b. The lifting element 12 b is in the form of loops of a metal barsthe ends of which are embedded in the concrete of the vault 11 b. Thelifting element 12 b allows the vault 11 b to be placed and lifted usingheavy construction equipment. The vault 11 b also includes air vents 13b and 14 b. The vault 11 b be is sitting on a flat concrete pad 17 thatis buried in the ground 18.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. This thirdembodiment of the well vault 11 b presents invention in which astep-like ledge 41 is provided around the outside of the well vault 11b. This anti-alteration wellhead vault system, designated generally bythe 10 b, includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 11 b. The vault 11b has lifting elements 12 b mounted on the top of the vault 11 b. Thelifting element 12 b is in the form of loops of a metal bars the ends ofwhich are embedded in the concrete of the vault 11 b. The liftingelement 12 b allows the vault 11 b to be placed and lifted using heavyconstruction equipment. The vault 11 b also includes air vents 13 b and14 b. The vault 11 b be is sitting on a flat concrete pad 17 that isburied in the ground 18. The top of the vault os shown to be flat, butit could also be convex to allow water to drain, of concave to act as abird bath.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent 14 c for use in awellhead vault 11 c embodying the principles of the present invention.This air vent is provided with a check valve 51 that prevents floodwater from entering the wellhead vault 11. FIG. 11 shows the flotationball 52 in its lower position in which air is allowed to pass in and outof the vent. The float ball 52 is sitting on a lower plate 53 that ispart of a special coupling 54. The lower plate 53 extends across thebore of the vent 14 c, and, because it has off-center bores 55, thepresence of the float ball 52 on the lower plate 53, does not interferewith the flow of air through the lower plate 53. The vent 14 c has twosolids traps 28 c to keep solid material out of the wellhead chamber 25.

FIG. 12 is another sectional view of the alternative air vent 14 c shownin FIG. 11, for use in a wellhead vault 11 c embodying the principles ofthe present invention. In this case, flood water 45 has surrounded thevault 11 c to the point where the wellhead chamber 25 is below waterlevel. It would be desirable to prevent the flood water from enteringthe wellhead chamber 25 through the vent 14 c. This air vent 14 c isprovided with a check valve 51 that prevents water from entering thewellhead vault 11 c. FIG. 12 shows the flotation ball 52, pressed upwardby water infiltration, into its upper position. The float ball 52 ispressed against an upper plate 58 that is part of a special coupling 59.The upper plate 58 extends across the bore of the vent 14 a, and,because it has a center bore 60, the presence of the float ball 52pressing against the upper plate 58, and blocking the center bore 60,stops the flow of water upward through the center bore 60 of the upperplate 58, and prevents water from passing into the wellhead chamber 25.

FIGS. 13-15 show a variation in the vent design in which the vent isprovided with a double check valve, that is, two check valves arrangedone after another. One of the purposes of the check valve system is toprevent flood water from entering the valve and thereby entering thewellhead chamber. In the simple flood situations, the second check valveacts as a backup in the case where the first check valve fails tofunction completely. It been discovered, however, that flood watersoften involve powerful surges or pressure waves of water and debrycaused by the turbulence associated with rapidly moving water throughcomplex paths. These pressure waves have pressure peaks which canoverwhelmed a check valve, and pressure drops that can interfere withthe normal operation of the check valve, which relies on relativelyconstant pressure to maintain the seal. In those pressure waveconditions, the lone check valve is not always effective. It has beendiscovered that, when a series of two or more check valves is employed,the first check valve absorbs the stresses of the pressure wave andprotects the second check valve from the damaging effects of the floodconditions. In the case where the flood waters are highly contaminated,it becomes essential to use every effort to protect the wellhead fromthe contamination of the flood waters. The double check valve systemprovides improved protection.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a double check valve that prevents flood waterfrom entering the wellhead vault. FIG. 13 shows both flotation balls intheir lower positions in which air is allowed to pass in and out of thevent.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a double check valve that prevents flood waterfrom entering the wellhead vault. FIG. 14 shows the lower flotation ballin its upper position in which water cannot pas through the vent, andthe upper flotation ball in its lower position in which air would beallowed to pass in and out of the vent, were it not for the lower checkvalue.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an alternative air vent for use in awellhead vault embodying the principles of the present invention. Thisair vent is provided with a double check valve that prevents flood waterfrom entering the wellhead vault. FIG. 15 shows both of the flotationballs in their upper positions in which neither air nor water allowed topass through the vent, into the chamber.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a wellhead vault, with analternative lifting system which includes tubing set in the concrete incrossed plan view so that there are two bores through the upper portionof the wellhead vault. This alternative design could include the liftingbars or it could be built without the lifting bars. The bores allowstraight lifting bars to be passed through the bores, extending on eachside of the wellhead vault, so that lifting cables can be attached tothose extending ends to allow lifting of the wellhead vault.

FIG. 17 shows a front elevation view of the system shown in FIG. 16 inwhich lifting cables are connected to the ends of the lifting bars thatextend out of each end of the bore. The lifting cables are attached to alifting system such as a hydraulic backhoe, symbolized by the hook. Thisallows the wellhead vault to be installed and removed without thenecessity of the embedded lifting elements, which then become optional.

FIG. 18 shows a plan view of the wellhead vault shown in FIGS. 16 and17. The lifting bars can be shown extending outward from each of thetubes that form the lifting bores. The unused tubes that form liftingbars are shown extending forward and backward from the sides of thewellhead vault.

FIG. 19 shows another version of the invention. In this case, the top ofthe wellhead vault has a concavity facing upward with a drain runningout of the bottom of the can cavity and capable of draining any liquidin the concavity unless a plug is placed in the drain to keep the liquidfrom and draining out. This cavity can cavity can act as a bird bath orcan act as a planter on top of the wellhead a vault. This version alsoincludes a cast-in wiring system with a junction box on the outside ofthe wellhead vault and electrical connection to a junction box on thewall of the chamber, and electrically connected to the can cavity at thetop of the wellhead vault. This wiring system allows the provision ofelectricity from the outside of the wellhead vault to various devicesassociated with the chamber or top can cavity. This version alsoincludes a circular groove with a triangular cross-section formed in thelower surface of the wellhead vault and adjacent the outside edge of thebottom of the wellhead vault. This groove can be filled with a sealantprior to installation of the wellhead dome in order to enhance theability of the wellhead vault to prevent liquid and other intrusion intothe chamber of the wellhead vault.

FIG. 20 shows a front elevation cross-sectional view, taken a along line20-20 of FIG. 21, of another version of the lower end of the checkvalve. In this case, the check valve ball sits on a valve seat in whichare carved internal grooves so that air can pass in and out of the checkvalve while the check valve ball is in its lower position.

FIG. 21 shows a plan view in partial section, taken along line 21-21 ofFIG. 20, of the c check valve seat shown in Figure, showing the grooveson the inside of the check valve seat.

22 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 22-22 ofFIG. 23, of the outside end of the venting system. FIG. 2 shows aperforated disk fixed in the bore of the venting system to allow air andliquid to enter and leave the venting system, but to prevent any largeobjects from getting into the venting system.

FIG. 23 shows a right elevation view of the vent and shown in FIG. 22,and shows the perforated disk in the bore of the vent.

FIG. 24 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 24-24of FIG. 23, of the outside end of the venting system. FIG. 2 shows athreaded plug that is removably positioned in the bore of venting systemto stop air and liquid from entering or leaving the venting system, inthe case of anticipated flood conditions. The plug has a protuberancethat allows the plug to be driven into and out of the vent bore.

FIG. 25 shows a right elevation view of the vent and plug and shown inFIG. 24.

FIG. 26 shows a front elevation cross-sectional view, taken a along line26-26 of FIG. 27, of another version of the lower end of the checkvalve. In this case, the check valve ball sits on a valve seat in whichare carved four grooves all the way through the barrel of the valveseat, so that air can pass in and out of the check valve while the checkvalve ball is in its lower position. The grooves are carved all the waydown to the base of the valve seat barrel, with a inward sloping bottomsurface, so that liquid that accumulates outside the barrel and abovethe base will drain into the bore of the vent and out the outside ventopening.

FIG. 27 shows a plan view in partial section, taken along line 27-27 ofFIG. 26, of the check valve seat shown in FIG. 26, showing the groovesthrough the barrel of the check valve seat.

FIG. 28 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 28-28of FIG. 29, of the outside end of the venting system. FIG. 2 shows aperforated disk fixed in the bore of the venting system to allow air andliquid to enter and leave the venting system, but to prevent any largeobjects from getting into the venting system.

FIG. 29 shows a right elevation view of the vent and shown in FIG. 28,and shows the perforated disk in the bore of the vent.

FIG. 30 shows an front elevation cross-sectional view, taken along 30-30of FIG. 31, of the outside end of the venting system. FIG. 30 shows athreaded plug that is removably positioned in the bore of venting systemto stop air and liquid from entering or leaving the venting system, inthe case of anticipated flood conditions. The plug has a indentationthat allows the plug to be driven into and out of the vent bore.

FIG. 31 shows a right elevation view of the vent and plug and shown inFIG. 24.

FIG. 32 shows a front elevation cross-sectional view, taken a along line32-32 of FIG. 33, of another version of the lower end of the checkvalve. In this case, the check valve ball sits on a valve seat in whichare carved four grooves a portion of the way down the barrel of thevalve seat, so that air can pass in and out of the check valve while thecheck valve ball is in its lower position.

FIG. 33 shows a plan view in partial section, taken along line 33-33 ofFIG. 32, of the check valve seat shown in FIG. 32, showing the groovesthrough the barrel of the check valve seat.

FIG. 34 is front elevation view, in section taken along line 34-34 ofFIG. 35, of the upper part of a version of a check valve. As the ballfloats up, it engages a downwardly-facing toroidal lip that forms atight circular liquid seal with the ball, and prevents liquid frompassing through the vent.

FIG. 35 is a plan view, in section taken line 35-35 of FIG. 34, of theversion of the upper part of the check valve shown in FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a front elevation view, in section taken along line III-IIIof FIG. 18, showing another version of the vent, with a sealing flap inan unsealed position, and an outlet seal in place to seal the outletwhen flooding is expected.

FIG. 37 is a front elevation view, in section taken along line III-IIIof FIG. 18, showing the vent in FIG. 36, with the sealing flap in asealed position, and the outlet seal not in place to seal the outlet,when flooding is not expected.

This version of the valve addresses a possible issue that might occur incertain environmental conditions. As in the other versions of the vent,the vent is intended to allow air flow between the inside and outside ofthe vault, without letting anything, especially liquids, else in.

In some environments, flooding conditions are extremely turbulent, withextreme variations in pressure applied to the vent. In such a case, itmay be advantageous to apply increased closing pressure on the sealingelements in the vent. One way to do this is to increase the volume ofthe float that is pressing the sealing element into a closed position.One way to accomplish this is to shape the float as an elongatedcircular cylinder. In that way, the volume, and therefore the buoyancy,and therefore the sealing power of the float, is increased withouthaving to increase the diameter of the vent.

One the special aspects of this cylindrical float configuration is thatit works best if the outer diameter of the float is significantly lessthan the inner diameter of the vent, and there is a flange at the topand bottom of the float to keep the float centered in the vent lumen.The flanges must have openings to let air and water flow through thevents and around the float.

Below the lower end of the float is a stationary platform with openingsto allow liquids and gasses to pass through. At the upper end of thefloat is an upwardly-directed vertical shaft which is designed so thatwhen the float moves up, the upper end of the vertical shaft will causea sealing flap to close. The shaft is maintained in a position coaxialto the vent by means of a stationary plate through which the shaftpasses. The plate includes openings to allow gas and liquid to passthrough the plate. The stationary plate also prevents the float fromtraveling too far up the vent in the case of extreme pressureconditions.

Above the shaft is a downwardly open sealing flap positioned to sealwith a stationary valve seat when the sealing flap is pressed upward bythe shaft.

FIG. 36 shows the float in its lower position, with the valve flap downand unsealed, to allow air flow in and out of the vault.

FIG. 37 shows the float in its upper or floating position, with thevalve flap up and sealed to prevent liquids from entering the vault.

Another feature that is present in this new version is a weighted ballthat keeps the sealing flap from remaining closed when a closed sealingflap is not desirable. The ball is confined in a cage defined by thesealing flap and sealing seat, the bottom, a stationary porous plate atthe top that does not allow the ball to escape the cage, and the wallsof the vent, It may be that the enhanced sealing power provided by theabove described cylindrical float may be so great that the sealing flapsticks and remains sealed even when the need for the seal is no longerpresent. By selecting a downwardly opening sealing flap and placing aweighted ball on top of the flap, any tendency for the seal to stick inits closed position is overcome by the weight of the ball.

FIG. 36 shows the float in its lower position, with the valve flap downand unsealed, and the weighted ball on the flap and biasing the flapdown and unsealed.

FIG. 37 shows the float in its upper position, with the valve flap upand sealed, and the weighted ball on the flap. The ball is light enoughto allow the flap to be closed by the float, so that the flap can makethe seal when desired.

FIG. 38 shows, a variation of the design shown in FIG. 36. In thevariation, the outer end of the vent is inset from the outer wall of thevault so that the outer end of the vent cannot be damaged by debrisfloating by the outside of the vault. Also adjacent the outer end of thevent, is an additional screening trap which keeps animals and otherdebris from entering the vent when the Is not on the vent. The insideend of the vent also includes an additional screening trap that keepsanimals and debris from entering the vent during transport or storage ofthe on applied vent or when the vent is integrated into the vault. Ithas been found that increasing the volume of the float has a dramaticeffect on the effectiveness of the sealing of the valve that is closedby the float. In the preferred embodiment, the float has an outerdiameter of 4 inches, and the piping around the float has a 5 inch innerdiameter. The seal ball is preferably rubber, elastomer, or glass,depending on environmental conditions.

The primary use for this invention is to protect well heads that providewater to the surface. In that case, access to the well head is typicallyneeded very seldom. There is another kind of well however, that has needfor periodic access; test wells. There are many situations in which ateat well is created, not to provide water to the surface, but rather toallow the monitoring of subsurface conditions, such as the infiltrationor exfiltration of pollutants in ground water. In that case, test probesare periodically inserted into the test well to test subsurfacecondition. Protection these test well heads, as with regular well heads,is very important. However, in the case of test well heads easy andconvenient access is required, even thought it must be fully regulated.

So, as shown in FIGS. 39-42, in the case of a test well head 115 a, thewell head protector 110 a is provided with a lockable access port 116 a,having a port 117 a, an cover 118 a, and a lock 119 a.

FIG. 39 is a front elevation view of a test well embodiment of thepresent invention, having an optional square foot print. Thisanti-alteration wellhead vault system, designated generally by the 110a, includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 111 a. The vault 111 ahas lifting elements 112 a mounted on the side of the vault 111 a. Thelifting element 112 a is in the form of a loop of a metal bar the endsof which are embedded in the concrete of the vault 111 a. The liftingelement 112 a allows the vault 111 a to be placed and lifted using heavyconstruction equipment. The vault 111 a also includes air vents 113 aand 114 a (shown below).

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 39. The vaultsystem 110 a includes the vault 111 a. The vault 111 a includes thelifting element 112 a, and the air vents 113 a and 114 a. The vault 111a might be sitting on a concrete pad which is positioned in the ground,around a test well.

FIG. 41 is a sectional front elevation view of the embodiment shown inFIG. 39, as seen along the view line VII-VII of FIG. 640. Theanti-alteration wellhead vault system, designated generally by the 110a, includes precast concrete bell-shaped vault 111 a. The vault 111 ahas lifting elements 112 a mounted on the side of the vault 111 a. Thelifting element 112 a is in the form of a loop of metal bar, the ends ofwhich are embedded in the concrete of the vault 111 a. Preferably, theends of the metal bar will be bent around to form hooks that willprevent the bars from being pulled out of the concrete. The liftingelement 112 a allows the vault 111 a to be placed and lifted using heavyconstruction equipment. The vault 111 a also includes air vents 113 aand 114 a.

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 39. The bottomview of the wellhead vault system 110 a, shows the bottom 116 a of thevault 111 a, the wellhead chamber 125 a, and the vents 113 a and 114 a.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form andconstruction of the invention without departing from the material spiritthereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to theexact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include allsuch as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:
 1. An anti-alteration wellconnection comprising: a) a wellhead protruding from the ground, and b)a wellhead vault enclosing the wellhead, i) the wellhead vault beingmade in such a manner so as to be difficult for a few individuals togain access to the wellhead by penetrating the vault wall or by movingthe vault, and ii) comprising a wall surrounding the wellhead, closed atthe top and open at the bottom defining an inner chamber, Iii) the vaultpositioned to securely enclose the wellhead within the inner chamber,iii) thereby prohibiting alteration of the wellhead.
 2. Ananti-alteration well connection as recited in claim 1 wherein the wellvault is constructed of pre-formed concrete.
 3. An anti-alteration wellconnection as recited in claim 1 wherein the well vault is constructedof pre-formed concrete, and includes two steel rods, each rod having afirst and second end portion, the end portions securely embeddedopposite each other in the well vault wall, each rod having a bightportion midway between the end portions protruding from the top of thewell vault, forming two overlapping diametrically opposed liftingpoints, centered over the well vault, for attaching heavy duty liftingequipment for moving and positioning the well vault.
 4. Ananti-alteration well connection as recited in claim 1 wherein the wellvault further comprises a bore beginning at the outer surface of thewell vault wall and opening to the inner chamber, providing air flow tothe wellhead.
 5. An anti-alteration well connection as recited in claim1 wherein the well vault further comprises a bore beginning at the outersurface of the well vault wall and opening to the inner chamber,providing air flow to the wellhead, the bore specifically orientedupward towards the inner chamber, preventing liquid from being pouredtherein.
 6. An anti-alteration well connection as recited in claim 1wherein the well vault further comprises a bore beginning at the outersurface of the well vault wall and opening to the inner chamber,providing air flow to the wellhead, including a metal screen situated inthe bore, filling the entire cross-section of the bore, and held inplace by a plurality of rods which are secured to the bore wall, therebypreventing foreign particulate material from entering the inner chamber.7. An anti-alteration well connection as recited in claim 1 wherein thewell vault further comprises a bore beginning at the outer surface ofthe well vault wall and opening to the inner chamber, providing air flowto the wellhead, including a vented cap covering the outside opening ofthe bore.
 8. An anti-alteration well connection as recited in claim 1further comprising a rodent-resistant screen mesh laid at ground level,sealed around the wellhead, extending to the outer circumference of thewell vault wall, and held in place by the well vault, forming a barrierto infiltration of the inner chamber by rodents.
 9. An anti-alterationwell connection as recited in claim 1 wherein the well vault is bellshaped, the top being rounded, thereby shedding rain and snowefficiently.
 10. An anti-alteration wellhead connection as recited inclaim 1 wherein the vault sits on a water impermeable pad and isconnected to the pad by a water impermeable sealant, and the vents havecheck valves the prevent flood water from entering the vault.
 11. Ananti-alteration well connection comprising: a. a wellhead protrudingfrom the ground and b. a bell shaped wellhead vault enclosing thewellhead, i) the well vault constructed of pre-formed concrete in such amanner to be difficult for a few individuals to gain access to thewellhead by penetrating the vault wall or by moving the vault,comprising a surrounding wall defining an inner chamber, closed androunded at the top and open at the bottom, positioned to securelyenclose the wellhead within the inner chamber, thereby prohibitingmalicious tampering of the wellhead, and ii) includes two steel rods,each rod having a first and second end portion, the end portionssecurely embedded opposite each other in the well vault wall, each rodhaving a bight portion midway between the end portions protruding fromthe top of the well vault, forming two overlapping diametrically opposedlifting points, centered over the well vault, for attaching heavy dutylifting equipment for moving and positioning the well vault, and iii)including a bore beginning at the outer surface of the well vault walland opening to the inner chamber, providing air flow to the wellhead,the bore specifically oriented upward towards the inner chamber, therebypreventing liquid from being poured therein, and including a metalscreen situated in the bore, filling the entire cross-section of thebore, and held in place by a plurality of rods which are secured to thebore wall, thereby preventing foreign particulate material from enteringthe inner chamber, and including a vented cap covering the outsideopening of the bore, and including a rodent-resistant screen mesh laidat ground level, sealed around the wellhead, extending to the outercircumference of the well vault wall, and held in place by the wellvault, forming a barrier to infiltration of the inner chamber byrodents.
 12. An anti-alteration wellhead vault, comprising: a. a bellshaped concrete vault, including and a wall that defines an open-endedcavity the is shaped to enclosed a wellhead, b. an air vent systemthrough the wall that lets air pass between the cavity and the outsideof the vault, c. a lifting element that allows the vault to be lifted byheavy construction equipment.
 13. An anti-alteration wellhead vault asrecited in claim 12, wherein the vent system includes a check valve thatallows air to flow freely through the vent, unless flood water entersthe vent, in which case, the check valve closes and prevent water fromentering the chamber.
 14. An anti-alteration wellhead vault as recitedin claim 12, wherein the vault has a ledge on its outside to facilitateaccess to the top of the vault.
 15. An anti-alteration wellhead vault asrecited in claim 12, wherein the vent includes a check valve the allowsair to pass through the vent unless water enters the event in whichcase, the vent is blocked.
 16. An anti-alteration wellhead vault asrecited in claim 12, wherein the vent includes a check valve with afloating ball, and the valve allows air to pass through the vent unlesswater enters the event in which case, the vent is blocked.
 17. A methodof preventing alteration of a wellhead, comprising enveloping thewellhead by placing a bell-shaped vault over and around the wellhead,the vault being too heavy to be removed from the wellhead without heavyconstruction equipment.
 18. A method of preventing alteration of awellhead, as recited in claim 17, wherein the concrete pad is placedaround the wellhead, and the vault is placed on the pad to seal off thechamber.
 19. A method of preventing alteration of a wellhead, as recitedin claim 17, wherein the concrete pad is placed around the wellhead, andthe vault is placed on the pad with flexible sealant between the vaultand the pad to seal off the chamber.
 20. A method of preventingalteration of a wellhead, as recited in claim 17, wherein a screen islaid on the ground before placing the vault on the wellhead, so that thecavity cannot be entered by animals.